Biography of Mamadou TANDJA

Born Tandja Mamadou in 1938 in Maine-Soroa, near the Lake Chad region of Niger.

Soldier and politician. Participated in the military junta that ousted President Diori, 1974; Prefect of the Region of Tahoua, 1981-88; Ambassador of Niger, 1988-90; Minister of the Interior, 1990-91; retired from military; made two unsuccessful presidential bids; active in political demonstrations against government and was arrested, 1997; elected to a five-year term as president of Niger, 1999.November 1999 and reelected again in November 2004.